The day she panicked 😂

Lil’ one, in her always carrying so many things, had unfortunately left her shoe bag in school the day before. She only realised she didn’t have her bag with her in the night, but nope it’s not in the car. 

Luckily (or maybe not) she has another pair which I realised we actually still kept it after her Limelight. 

At 8.35am (school starts at 9am) she called me. “Mummy, my shoe broke!” 🤣,  “my shoe broke in half”. Being the non-sympathetic mother I asked her to go to office for help to either tape it up; use rubber band whatever or ask if they have slippers to lend her. She must be panicking like crazy. An overtly anxious girl, her mind must be in a blurry state. 🤪 Coz I told her that she calling me now won’t help, look for help closest to her. 

Yes, her mother is still not sympathetic to her plight and won’t rescue her immediately. What?! Expect me to stop drinking my teh and rush to her? Shops are not even open now. Or did she expect me to drive home to pick up a pair of sports shoes? It’s not a life threatening thing that requires me to make myself inconvenienced. She’s got to learn how to handle it herself. Not sure if she’ll find her shoe bag in the CCA room or in the Lost & Found but I’ll definitely get her another spare pair since the Limelight pair broke.  

This will teach her a lesson to be responsible for her things and to always turn back and check before leaving a place. Apparently she thinks the 20pc nuggets is more important than her shoes. (then again if she left the nuggets behind, she’ll get a scolding from me too. 💸💸

The LEGO - dismantle into different parts 🤣 condition of the shoe. I didn’t know it was that bad. I even suggested her to put back the shoe parts and then drag that feet around. It’s totally beyond help. Thus she came into the car barefooted. 

Thursdays

Lil’ one’s school is really weird. Everyone; every faculty has the same lunch break daily. Made it worst when the cafeterias are also opened to the public! As such she hasn’t been able to have a nice ‘sit down at the table meal’ since school started. Queues are often long too so many times they find a stall that has the shortest queue, buy and eat at the stairs. 

This term, knowing that I’m in OTH for exercise, like clockwork every Wednesday she’ll pout lips and grouch no food in school etc.. hoping that her mom catches her hint. Only twice I made the effort to pack food for her at OTH then rush down to drop food. I didn’t want to do it all the time, didn’t want her to think her mother is a slave to her. Oh well….. I am a slave….

Today I packed nasi lemak for her, her special order - LIHO and at the same time do a motherly act by buying 20pc nuggets and 2 shaker fries for her 4 friends. Hopefully they’ll finish everything. 

Thermie #6

Getting the hang of using it now. But I still don’t get the chance to cook on a more daily basis. Coz it just always happen that it makes more sense to pack dinner home then for me to rush all the cooking in less than 1hr. With lil’ one started on her therapy, most appointments end late at 5+, 6+

I’ve successfully attached the butterfly whisk. Had to triple check, 4x 5x check to make sure I’m attaching it correctly before I turn on Thermie (worried if I’ll spoil it in the process)

Really easy, but it didn’t taste that nice coz I think it makes a difference in slicing finely and anyhow cut ginger - brings out the smell better. I cut huge chunks coz the girls don’t like it and they always pick on pieces.

Rice so fluffy and nice. 

I didn’t use Thermie to cook this, used the pot as I needed to heat up the leftover basil pork. But ikan bilis were just airfried today

Airfrying

Sometimes I just want to find time to do some bulk food prep prep eg. chicken stock; pork stock; etc… But the school dismissal timing doesn’t permit me to do so. (Perhaps I should really make lil’ one come back home from school herself. It really takes away one job for me. It helped that the period of time when we were only left with one car and the man took it. She had to bus back from KC to home until our second car arrive. I was at home cooking and the moment she stepped into the house, the food is piping hot and ready for her to tuck in.)

Today, at last minute lil’ one told me she needs to stay back in school to do some work with her classmates. Happy like crazy! 

I airfried the crab stick n then was still thinking about using the Thermomix to fry ikan bilis. When it dawned upon me that I can also airfry ikan bilis what?! The brain is not thinking 🤣. So now I fry more so I can pass to mom. Roles reversed, to think that she used to fry ikan bilis for my girls. But I tell you they are very fickle-minded, they didn’t want to eat anymore for the last few times she gave us. 

Looks different from what she gave us. She uses the wok and fry them. But …. taste wise would be slightly different from what she used to give us (coz I think she added a little sugar) so I hope she don’t mind my lazy way of frying the ikan bilis. At least I’m trying to let her lessen her workload with her concurrent problems. 

Initially decided to do a bulk fry for myself too but I think better not coz I don’t even know when my kids later will eat or not. So I shall “fry” as and when I need. Thermomix and my airfryer will come to the rescue. 

Next up, I will want to do sambal tumis ikan bilis in the Thermomix. 

 

 

Keto RE-START

13th Feb

On a slow re-start. Finished my last 6 non-keto siew mai for breakfast. 

Lunch - couldn’t prepare in time coz I forgot to bring down the frozen chicken fillet into the fridge last night. So had my first kopi keto style :

Dolce Gusto + monkfruit sweetener + whipping cream

It’s been so long since we used the machine, since early October? The last time I used was to prepare for lil’ one when she had 2 papers in a day. 

That smell ….how to describe? Smoky? Bitter? 

This re-start will be one that is beef-less for 2wks. I hope this re-start can last longer than the last when I had to stop when it was vacation after vacation 🤭. 

Gebe mein Bestes!

The unexpected world of photoshop

I simply don’t understand why would people want to over Meitu or photoshop themselves? So much so that when you see their unedited photos, it’s really OMG 判若两人!  

So I get it why they edit their photos, they want to look good in their posted photos. In that case, might as well don’t put their photos in FB or Instagram to show the friends. 

And almost instantly one can tell that the photos are edited when suddenly so many people know how to glitter their under eye. Have that nice blushered cheeks; nose abit sharper and eyes suddenly all so big and not forgetting flawless skin.

I’m a “what you see is what you get” person. I don’t edit my photos at all. Well….even if I had wanted to, I need to photoshop in alot of areas - the face, the arms, the fat body. To make it simpler for myself - don’t post! At least I’m not fake! 

Award ceremony

Was a little sad that I wasn’t present for lil’ one’s award ceremony as the date clashed with the SSO Concert (same timing some more 😭). 

This year they didn’t hold the ceremony in our Function Room, I wonder why. But as the covid restrictions was just lifted days ago to pre-covid days, I guess the early 2023 ceremonies are still held with slight restrictions? In 2021, they only allowed one accompanying person and this year they allowed two. I’m not sure if today’s ceremony was done the same way as in 2021. Where basically the kids get their certificate then leave. No one is required to sit down to go through the whole ceremony for all recipients. Still, I’d prefer if they held it in our compound. 

Last year was a horrible year. She had bad anxiety issues, FT and school counsellor talked to her. She was under stress; she was unhappy; she had sleepless nights. Then we found out there were some problems. With the last minute AA made just in time for her prelims, we were able to see the results improving. And her mood was a little better; I kept company and tried to give her so so much love assuring her. Gave her massages coz she was tired sitting down too long. Gave lots of positive vibes. Found the correct way to make her sleep better. And for her finals, she came back with the unexpected results 😄.

And this award is an attestation of a job well done, my lil’ one my lil’ warrior. 

Hubby was tasked to bring her for the ceremony. And I’m sure he’s just as proud of her as I am. 

Closing the IJ journey chapter

 

Lil' one dons on her school uniform for the last time today (for the anward ceremony) and I'm closing the chapter of my two girls' IJ journey. Whenever there's a closing; there's another reopening (my grandkids?).

I know they always say they hate school and can't wait to get out, I believe they only meant getting out of the education system not the school. For the school not only holds memories but virtues that they are taught and shown moulding them into better women for themselves; for the family and for the society.

May my girls continue to treat others with respect and sincerity. May my girls overcome any difficulties with confidence and be humble. May they continue to have the friendship with their friends for life.

Here's me signing off ironing the white blouse and blue pinafore. 

One set of uniform and PE attire is already in the top cabinet, sealed and kept for her. The only physical items I kept for my children individually. 

#ijgirls# #maytheyshareschoolhauntedstorieswiththeirdaughtersnexttime#

Igard appt - timeline

First consultation with Functional Vision Evaluation tests 22nd June 22 @ 1pm

2nd consultation to brief me on what’s happening, how to help her and was given the letter to be submitted to SEAB on 14th July 22 @ 2.35pm 

After that explained to Dr Yap that we can’t start therapy as we are so pressed for time with tuitions 4x per week; school homeworks; tuition homeworks etc etc.. for now. I’m rushing to get the report for AA. But I will definitely will start her coz we need to help her, it will affect not only as a student but if she’s in the workforce as well. 

Fast forward to 5th Feb 2023 @ 2.57am I messaged them on how to book the sessions. I can’t remember which is the website to go to 😆. Messaged again the next day and they replied me : 

7th Feb 2023, Dr Yap asked me why I’m here 😂😂. I think they double booked the timing as what Dr Yap told me later, but no choice they had to attend to me since I’m already there and it’s not like I came without appointment. He did tests with her again and is happy with her progress. Even without therapy, with the prescribed $480 glasses he could see the improvement. Still she needs the effort to read but it’s definitely faster than before.

He told me to book the dates first. Aiyoh! That’s what I want to do right? I will need the appointments fixed and have it written down on the calendar. No need to tell me lor……

Will need to book 20 sessions with them, I only managed to book 10 first as I have no school time-table after March.  

First session booked on Valentine’s Day. I really hope 20 sessions is really all she needs coz it’s not cheap at all

元宵节

Last of CNY. As with tradition, I boiled the ready made peanut filled tangyuan on this day for the family. 

Everyone have their own way of eating this sweet round delicacy. 

Che-che’s preference with peanuts 

Lil’ one don’t really like all these glutinous rice snacks, but in order to eat this on this significant day she obliged with “ONE ☝️ ONLY!”

The adults prefer with ginger gula melaka soup. I’m nursing a phlegmy cough so all the more I want a hot soup with my tangyuan. Somehow I’m glad I’m off keto now, otherwise there is no way I can indulge in this now.  

 

                    ***************

Technically CNY not over yet but I’ve removed 3 decos, majority are still on the wall; sliding door; PES

Removed this cute rabbit deco on our main door. (This year I hung the leek inside the house at our door, removed it on the 3rd day coz it was giving off a bad yucky smell.)

Removed this in our dining area mirror. Lil’ one is relieved I removed this, she says this is ugly 😅

Washed the coffee table runner. Will be kept in the decorations storage box in bomb shelter for next year’s use 

 

Will do the rests tomorrow or day after. I need to 💤 now, really need to sleep away the irritating cough

Keeping to my promise

I’ve never done a promise so big, IMO it is. I made a promise to Buddha that if lil’ one did well to go to the course she wants, I’ll go vegetarian for a week and once I resumed keto I’ll abstain from beef for 2 weeks. (Honestly abstaining from beef for 2 weeks is easier coz I don’t really like beef in the first place.)

Yah, this is like the longest time since I’m off keto 😬. I’m already feeling lethargic and feeling very fat all over. 

Should have started the vegetarian the moment she received her results in December. (She did much much better than expected and though initially we were aghast with the RGS standard for her desired course, we are glad she made it with good results.) But I couldn’t start immediately as we were on holiday and it’s not easy for me to keep track. Then Christmas rolled by; CNY came next month. Buddha can forgive me right? As long as I keep to my promise, sure can forgive me. 

I think I can handle it? Afterall it means just eat vegetables, tofu and fruits n mushrooms. Things I like, things not as restrictive as keto. One week only so I can definitely tahan. 加油！I never knew how stressed I was over being on vegetarian diet for a week has caused me 😅, that I had a dream where I accidentally ate some meat and I was flabbergasted over it and said I will need to extend one more day. 

I was thinking when should I start, then thought the earlier the better so I can re-start my keto too. My rings are getting too tight for my finger and jeans tighter too. 

On 26th (Thursday), I suddenly remembered that I can’t use oyster sauce and fish sauce for sure so went NTUC to get a small bottle of mushroom vegetarian sauce. I suppose I’m ready to rock n roll.  

Started my vegetarian journey on 29th (Sunday)

29th Jan 

Lunch - vegetarian bee Hoon 

Dinner - Cooked some lettuce to mix with the extra vegetarian kuey chap ingredients hubby kept for me. Cham! Got egg! Should I eat? Is egg considered vegetarian? Sounds silly but I did a Google search before I smash the egg with my fork. 

Got this from Quora : Chicken eggs are not animals, they are an animal product. Some people are strict enough that they will eat only unfertilized eggs.

To eat no animals products at all is to be vegan, not vegetarian.

I know S eats eggs, so heck lah I will eat eggs also. Otherwise 真的没东西吃。There’s a vegetarian restaurant opposite us, worst come to worst pack from there lor.. 

also think if normal stalls. Can I just eat vegetables from a chap chye stall? Which probably uses the same ladle to fry fish, pork and chicken dishes? I think there’s just some confusion on my part as to what is vegetarian in Buddhist perspective. Actually that reminded me once I saw a nun carrying soft boiled eggs to eat, a stranger and me turned and look at each other and we asked one another “可以吃蛋？”

30th (Monday)

Breakfast - I rarely have breakfast but since I needed to prepare lil’ one’s breakfast (she’s on HBL), I steamed an extra yam bun for myself. 

Lunch - fried with mushroom vegetarian sauce

Dinner - hubby’s extra vegetarian kuey chap dishes + celery n eggplant. Hungry after that and ate indomie 😂

31st (Tue)

Lunch - vegetarian kuey chap

Dinner - vegetarian mee rebus. Was a tu craving for laksa n mee Siam but I’m having a sore throat n cough now so decided to have non spicy food 

1st (Wed) 

Lunch - vegetarian Lor mee. 

Dinner - vegetarian bee Hoon

4 days down, 3 more days to go. It’s quite a challenge though. Have to think thru what’s the ingredients. Just like the other day the man came back with rojak, happily offered me and said it’s vegetarian what? But I think of the prawn paste to make the rojak sauce is not vegetarian. 

2nd (Thu)

I realised I get so hungry fast when I’m on vegetarian. Maybe coz I cut down on the carbs (rice, noodles etc..)

At 10.30am my stomach screamed hungry. I had 2 eggs (actually it’s 4, see my Thermie #5 post). I shall go and pack vegetarian from OTH before picking lil one up later. Wah….. honestly how do people stay on vegetarian? I thought it would be easy since I don’t mind veggies. 

Lunch : Had MOS burger instead. I wanted a place to sit down without the lunch crowd before doing my aunty grocery run. 

Dinner : kuey chap

3rd Feb (Fri)

Yes! Second last day. 

Lunch - carrot cake. No idea what to eat, I think this one can right? 

Dinner - fried rice with pathetic strands of vegetables n egg. Ok, better don’t complain as long as I’m not eating meat. Wanted to use Lee Wee Bros sambal chilli but realised baby shrimps as one of their ingredients, used Thai Chilli instead. 

But I get hungry so fast. Really?! If a stranger sees me eating again and again, he/she will mistaken me for a preggie lady. Hmm…. I feel like eating peanut butter bread now

4th Feb 

Lunch : dunno where hubby helped to pack this. All the veggies and home Thai chilli sauce

Dinner is vegetarian kuey chap which he packed for his lunch and some extras for my dinner. 

Ok, that’s it! I’ve made it through one week and now I’m craving for nonya dumplings 🤣

Aiyoh!

 

Why? Why is it not held in our function room? And why on the day and exact time I’m off for SSO concert with che-che? 

I mean I can ask che-che to ask a friend along in my place. But it means one less concert to attend with her before she flies off in August. She’s equally important as her lil’ sister who will be awarded for her hard work. I too want to be proud of her, be a crazy mammarazzi and snapping pictures and videos of her. 

Looking a little better

.. depending on how one sees it, both placement actually have things inside and outside the yard toilet lah! Still I prefer this arrangement. Read on the aunty crisis I faced in Oct 

Richard (from Benji Plumbing & Sanitaryware Pte Ltd) was here to fix the master toilet shower and I asked at the same time if removal of basin is under their purview or carpentry or who? He removed the redundant basin and did a bit of twist here and there (not wanting to scratch the washing machine against the door frame) and the machine went in. He did mentioned that if the previous 2 young chaps made more effort, the washing machine could go in. Still the basin is always in the way of my big head whenever I need to do the laundry. 

                

Though I still need to put the laundry bags here, at least it feels like there’s more space for me to walk through.

Argh! I have no racks, nothing to put these back in the laundry area. I shall just bag these up and put in this yard area first until the carpentry works is done. 

Meanwhile, I guess it’s time for some organization changing? Will get some white containers to match these items here. Change this 5kg detergent container, I’m getting sick and tired of the look.  

what to do with this basin? I suggested to keep for lil’ one’s house when she get married next time, it will be our gift for her 传家之宝 🤣

Jason will come over next Tuesday (7th Feb) to see what I need to do for the kitchen and laundry area. Can’t wait for a new kitchen and a new laundry area. 

Thermie #5

Hungry like crazy, nothing to eat at home except bread with chocolate peanut spread. Lazy to cook instant noodles coz I kept all the pots and pans in the cabinet already. 

Decided to try and cook soft boil eggs. Afterall many people showed how easy it is to do it. I’ve failed so many times doing this over the stove; following mom’s instructions to the tee still cannot. Useless me!  

I boiled 4 eggs. And used this instructions : 

Cracked first 2 eggs and there were some raw whites. Threw them away coz there’s no way I can re-cook the eggs. 

For the remaining 2 eggs, I extended time to 2mins, the first min I used 75deg cel, second minute used 70deg cel. 

This is how my last 2 eggs turned out. A little better but still have a teeny weeny raw white. Ok, won’t die since people do take raw eggs. 

A

I will do it better next time. Jia you! 

Thinking back her studying methods

Going back to 2022

Don’t deny the countless studygrams. The countless posts students make of their nice notes. I wish my girls can do that. 

So why I bought the digital notepads for self? Will help me for my foreign language revision. Alamak! I already stopped again. Can’t have the time lah! 

Etsy have so many good and cute digital 

SHE DOESN’T MAKE NOTES. Which of course I had been harping on it since Sec 1. But after the psychological n eye assessment I began to understand why making notes is a challenge for her thankfully her tutors provided some notes for her. Mr Mak also did. mindmap with her after learning her study method requires visual help. 

So during her revision, I bought 2022/2023 journal. Initially I was recording it. But later I found it difficult updating that and the one I often use : the 10min planner. Helps that I was really sitting down next to her the moment she’s at home and I’ll watch her. Timing her. Which parent do as much as I do? 

I was able to keep track of what she has revised, what she needs to do, mark the assigned work and go thru mistakes, boost up her confidence (then her anxiety issues), massage her back coz she was in pain.

Did pomodoro. 25/5 etc…. Finally she prefers 20/5. Played lofi music. But she’s one stubborn girl who insists on listening to the ABBA songs and any songs with vocals. How can she concentrate? 

Couldn’t do much of the Curve of forgetting coz it was in April, the last 6mths to the major exams, when I started this. So instead I kept a record on what I made her revise; what work I assigned her. So to ensure that all topics are covered, the list is updated. If I don’t do this, she’ll be revising her topics all over the place n perhaps missing certain topics. 

This year - 2023  

I bought an excel file for curve of forgetting from Etsy. Which may be useful to certain extent coz she only has 8-9 weeks of school before exams and the next term starts with new modules. 

Got her her 10mins planner as well. Hopefully she plans her after school days schedule better. 

And now realised there’s another way of studying called “Sherlock mind palace study method” 

I give up! I’m not in touch with whatever she’s studying now in her Accounting course.